Interview: 4-Star 2020 Oklahoma WR Javian Hester Covers Recruiting and Visits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

If there is one thing that is a for-sure about Javian “JJ” Hester it is college coaches love his abilities. After a breakout season in 2017 when he pulled in 38 passes for 705 yards with six touchdowns and put an end to 23 plays with four picks helping lead Booker T. Washington to a 6A championship, the offers started rolling in for the Tulsa native. The 6-3, 185-pound, athlete only upped his status during his junior campaign securing 20 passes for 386 yards with four scores and upped his defensive game with 50 stops, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The four-star now has 16 offers on the table and unofficial visits planned to help inform his recruiting process.

In a quick RNG stylized interview, I caught up with JJ for an update reaching him just after performing at the Under Armour All-American Camp in Texas.

*Click link for August 28, 2018 RNG interview with JJ Hester

Interview

JJ, how did the 2018 season go for you on the field?

“Overall, it did not go as planned. We had a lot of injuries – it just did not go as planned.”

Before we get into your playmaking skills on offense, your defensive abilities took off during your junior year. How did your game get better on that side of the ball?

“I was working hard every day and listening to my coaches.”

Guessing I know the answer to this, but is defense taking a hold on you as your new favorite side of the ball?

“No, I still love playing offense.”

Your game film shows your concentration on passes with guys on you. What were some of the other areas of your game on offense you were able to showcase last season?

“I can go up and get the 50-50 ball anytime, anywhere, and on anyone. I can block in the run game. I block like an offensive lineman on the outside. I feel I can take the game over at any time.”

What are you working on this spring?

“I am working on everything. I am working on the ins-and-outs of my breaks. I am working getting faster with more explosiveness as well. I am also working on my hands to make them even better along with my hand-eye coordination. “

Have you been to any national camps yet?

“Yes. I just came back from the Under Armour All-American Camp in Texas.”

How did it go?

“It went great. I did everything well.”

What other camps are you going to this spring?

“I am going to an Adidas camp in about a month and to the Nike Opening in St. Louis. I have a big 7v7 tournament this weekend, I can’t make the Nike Regional in Texas.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have 16 offers.”

Hester’s Offer Sheet (16): Arkansas, Ohio State, Georgia, Oklahoma, Baylor, Michigan, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas State, Missouri, Memphis, Georgia Tech, Texas, and Iowa State

Which schools are showing interest?

“I am receiving interest from Florida and Ole Miss. They are the two showing the most or hardest interest.”

Since the 2018 season began, which schools have you visited?

“I took two visits during the season, one to OU (Oklahoma) and one to Arkansas. I recently took one to Texas.”

How did the Oklahoma visit go?

“It went pretty well. I like it down there.”

What about the Arkansas visit, how did that go?

“It was good too, but it was cold when I was there.”

How did the Texas visit go?

“That was the best one yet. I plan on going back down there soon, maybe for their spring game.”

Other than the Texas visit, do you have any other visits planned?

“I have some in my mind, but none officially planned out yet. I am thinking about going to Georgia Tech and Georgia on the same weekend.”

What are college coaches telling you they like about your talents?

“They like that I can block, run, and catch. They like that I am an athlete.”

As you get closer to your senior year, what are some of the things that are important to you in the recruiting process that helps weed out teams?

“How well I know the coaches and how I get along with them.”

JJ, great catching up with you today. Good luck with the upcoming camps and 7v7 tournaments.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Hester family; JJ Hester at Texas